Geranium Types Confuse Even ‘Experts’
While searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift at a local nursery, I happened to overhear a clerk directing a customer to the geraniums. The clerk indicated that one bench was filled with seed geraniums while the other benches were filled with zonal geraniums.
Whoa! This wasn’t the first time I’ve heard this reference. There’s a misconception afoot here. The clerk was mistakenly equating a variety of geranium (zonal) with a method of propagation (by seed).
A zonal geranium is simply one of five varieties of geraniums - zonal, ivy, regals (Martha Washingtons), scented and hardy. All geraniums, zonal included, are commonly propagated by one of two methods - by seed or by cuttings. In actuality, the geraniums being referred to by the clerk were all zonal. Some of them were propagated by seed and the others were from cuttings.
The zonal geranium is the most popular geranium sold at our local nurseries. It gets its name from the concentric zonal pattern found on its leaves. These zones may be light green, dark green, bronze or white. The cooler the temperatures, the darker the rings.
A seed geranium is simply that, a geranium started from seed. Some commercial and many hobby growers like my mother, Margaret Caruso, grow the vast majority of their geraniums by seed. Why? Mom says she has a difficult time with cuttings. If the cuttings aren’t taken at the right time, she seems to lose them. Even those that seemingly get off to a good start, often die from botrytis blight or virus disease.
On the other hand, geraniums started from seed offer more stability - they germinate at the same time, grow at the same rate and seem to be less prone to disease. Though there are fewer varieties offered from seed, seed is a good investment for the hobby grower for both quality and quantity.
Cuttings are healthy stems, cut from the main plant. Commercial growers don’t ordinarily experience the same problems with cuttings as hobby growers. They take their cutting only from plants that are grown in greenhouses. If the cuttings were taken from plants grown outdoors, like my Mom’s, they would run the risk of being infected with virus diseases carried by leafhoppers and/or aphids. Under the year-round protected atmosphere of a sterile greenhouse, the cuttings grow into lovely bedding plants.
So, as a reminder, if that red Orbit geranium says “seed geranium,” that simply refers to how it was propagated. It’s still a zonal.
As to varieties other than zonals: Regals, better known as Martha Washingtons, are elegant plants that enjoy light, but detest heat. In fact, they may stop blooming if they get too hot. Give these ladies morning sun and a bit of humidity to keep them cool.
Ivy geraniums are excellent for hanging baskets and window boxes. These lovely plants enjoy cool nights and warm days, yet should be protected from the hot afternoon sun.
Scented geraniums are delicious. We purchase them more for their fragrant leaves than their flowers.
Since the leaves need to be rubbed to release their scent, plant them on the deck or patio, where they can be frequently touched. Which one to choose? The list is long - rose, peppermint, spice, apple, lime and lemon, to name only a few.
And lastly, the hardies. These fellows are the true geraniums. They are perennial, meaning they don’t have to be dug up in the fall.
Their flowers are usually single, delicate blossoms, although some are double. The plants come in all sizes, some as tall as 3 feet while others are as small as a few inches. It’s easy to get hooked on these fellows.
Any geranium would make a lovely gift for Mom. To all moms: Happy Mother’s Day.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review